UNCF Celebrates 25th Anniversary Walk for Education in New Orleans

Walk Aims to Raise $250,000 to Send Kids to College

More than ever, students need a college education to compete in the 21st century economy,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO. “Almost every good-paying job and career path requires a college degree or post-high school education.

New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) October 09, 2012

The New Orleans office of UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will host its 25th annual Walk for Education on Saturday, October 13, 2012 in New Orleans at the Audubon Zoo Riverview. This silver anniversary UNCF Walk for Education is a celebration of education that will bring together everyone in the community who has a stake in education from preschool through college—parents, educators, administrators and, of course, students—and raise funds to help students go to and through college. UNCF is hoping that the Walk will raise $250,000 to help students go to and through college.

“More than ever, students need a college education to compete in the 21st century economy,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO and former president of Dillard University. “Almost every good-paying job and career path requires a college degree or post-high school education,” said Michael L. Lomax, President/CEO.

The UNCF Walk for Education raises funds that help students at Xavier and Dillard Universities in New Orleans, and students from Louisiana and across the country at other UNCF colleges and universities get the education they need and the nation needs them to have. “We invite everyone in the Greater New Orleans community and surrounding areas to come out to the walk in support of education,” said LaJuana Chenier, Regional Development Director. “These are our children, our next generation, and we hope the New Orleans community will come out to help give them the future they deserve.”

Families, teachers and the community at large are invited to participate in this family-friendly event.Participants can walk, run or bike the 5k course through scenic Audubon Park. Members of the Louisiana community are invited to support UNCF and its students by forming a Walk for Education team or registering as individuals. UNCF is encouraging everyone to register early. Early registration fees are $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 years and under. Sponsors for the 25th Anniversary Walk for Education include McDonald’s Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Audubon Nature Institute, WWL-TV, Metro Disposal Inc. Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC, Orleans Parish Sheriff Office and many others.

Each year UNCF provides financial assistance to 57,000 students at Xavier and Dillard Universities and other UNCF member institutions. UNCF also awards 10,000 scholarships a year to students at 900 colleges and universities. UNCF awarded 208 scholarships totaling $1,521,244 to Louisiana students in the 2011-2012 academic year. Without UNCF’s support, many of the students attending these colleges would not have access to higher education or the benefits it provides.

For more information on the UNCF New Orleans Walk for Education or for sponsorship packages, please contact Jermaine Smith at 504-581-3794, Jermaine(dot)Smith(at)uncf(dot)org or visit http://uncf.org/NewOrleansWalk.

About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 38 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at http://www.UNCF.org